Game-table.



No. 640,777. Patented 1an. 9, |900. R. J. KUCH.

GAME TABLE.

(Application Bled Jan. 18, 1899.)

(No Mqdel.)

UNITED STATES EEICE.

PATENT ROBERT J. KOCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN AYLING, OF SAME PLACE.

GAME-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,777, dated January 9, 1900.

Application led January 18, 1899. Serial No. 702,542. (No model.)`

T0 cri/Z whom, 'it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. KOCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Game-Tables, (Case No. 1,) of which the following isa full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in game-tables, and has for its `object the provision of means for playing an amusing, interesting, and scientic game.

More particularly my invention relates to a table or table attachment which admits of various games being played thereon, resembling in certain features both the games of billiards and bowling and which require more or less of the skill and practice requisite in playing the latter games. v

I have termed the games which may be played upon my improved table billiardbowling.

The table for playing my novel gaines may be brieiiy described as consisting of an upper table-top whereon the ball or balls are shot or impelled, preferably by a cue, in connection with which is a lower alley or runway for the ball, upon which are disposed tenpins. In the embodiment of my invention hereinV shown the upper table closely resembles a billiard-table, while an incline situated beneath the bed of the billiard-table is designed to receive the tenpins. An interiorly-cushioned casing permits the passage of the ball from the table-level to the incline. As will be later described, the alley-way or bowling attachment may be designed to be removably' attached to an ordinary billiardtable.

The games played upon the table center about overturning the tenpins by various skilful shots of the ball or balls.

My invention ,will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in connection with which drawings I will describe more in detail the games and gametable of my invention.

Figure l is a plan view of a gametable oonstructed in accordance with my invention, the bowling attachment being shown partly removed therefrom. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the said table, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views showing means for removably securing the alley-way in position.

The same letters of reference are used to designate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The table-top a is perfectly level and without obstruction and is provided with cush- 6o ioned side and end rails b c, as is the ordinary billiard-table. I have shown a billiard-table to which my attachment is designed to be secured merely by removing one of the end rails. In its stead is secured by mortised cornersand pins the sectional end rails cl d, secured to and integral with the interiorlycushioned casing e, centrally disposed at one end of the table when the said attachment is in position. The casing extends above the 7o level of the table and its bottom is formed by the upper extremity of the inclineor alleyway formed in two separate sections f f. These sections are supported in position beneath the table-top by U-shaped rods or supports carried by the table. Hinged hasps g are provided upon the alley-section f, which, in connection with the staples h and pins c', serve to secure the two sections ff firmly in position when the table is desired for bil- 8o liard-bowling. At other times an ordinary cushioned end rail c is used upon the table. Thus it will be seen that a table may readily and quickly be converted for playing either billiards or billiard bowling. Obviously, 85 however, the entire table may be built as an integral structu re, either in smaller sizes for a childrens game or of any desired dimension.

Upon the lower extremity of the alley-section f' are set the tenpins 7c, and a basket Zis 9o also provided for the purpose of catching the pins and balls. 'Extending the length of a greater portion of the alley-way or incline are grooves or runways f2 below the level, upon which the pins are placed, said grooves being adapted to pass abadly-shot ball past the pins and into the basket.

One or more ordinary billiard-'ballsm preferably are employed in playing the game, the said balls being shot on the table a by roo means of a cue for the purpose of overturning the tenpins 7c. This may be accomplished in various ways. For example, the ball may be shot from the end of the table opposite the casing e, directly at the opening therein, whence it rebounds and, rolling along the alley-way, knocks over the pins la should it be accurately shot. If the shot, on the other hand, be unskilful, the ball may rebound from the cushion CZ, or if it pass through the opening in the casing it will roll into one of the grooves or runways f2 and thence into the basket without disturbing the pins. The score of the game may be kept as in bowling. Numerous modifications may be made in the described manner of playing billiard-bowling. For example, the ball may be shot against the cushions before it reaches the casing c, or it may be ilnpelled to strike another ball previous to entering the alley-way. Similarly the general arrangement of the table or the use or disposition of the balls and pins maybe altered to suit the tastes of the vplayers without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described a billiard-bowling table embodying my invention and specified the manner of playing the game, l claim as new, and desire to secure by these Letters Patent, the following:

l. In a game-table, the combination with a table-top or bed whereon the balls are adapted to be shot, of a tenpin'alley-way carried beneath the said table-top, said alley-way having a central raised portion and side grooves or runways, a plurality of tenpins disposed upon the said central portion, and a cushioned casing associated with the table-top and alleyway, adapted to direct the balls shot upon the former into and along the latter, whereby the tenpins are overturned by the skilfully-shot balls, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a billiard-table, of

a removable attachment consisting of a tenpin alley-way, and an in teriorly-cushioned casing associated with said table and alleyway and adapted to direct the balls shot upon the table into the alley-way, substantially as described.

3. The combination with abilliard-table, of

a removable attachment consisting of railsections, an alley-way or incline carried beneath the bed of the table and an interiorlycushioned casing associated with the tabletop and alley-way adapted to direct the balls shot upon the table into and along the alleyway, substantially as described.

4. In a gametable the combination with a table-top or bed, whereon balls are adapted to be shot, of side and end cushions provided about said table-top, a tenpiu alley-way carried beneath the said table-top, said alley- Away having a central raised portion and side grooves or runways, a plurality of tenpins disposed upon the said central portion and a cushioned casing associated with the tabletop and alley-way adapted to direct the balls shot upon the former into and along the latter, whereby the tenpins are overturned by the skillfully-shot balls, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a billiard-table, of a removable billiard bowling attachment comprising an interiorlycushioned casing and rail-sections adapted to be substituted for one of the end rails of the billiard-table, a tenpin alley-way 'carried beneath the top or bed of the billiard-table, said alley-way having a central raised portion and side grooves or runways, and a plurality of tenpins disposed upon said central portion, along which portion the casing is adapted to direct the balls shot upon the billiard-table, whereby the tenpius may be overturned by the skilfully-shot balls, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this lith day of January, A. D. 1899.

ROBERT J. KOCH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM AYLING, A. LYNN LAWRENCE. 

